Shopper who filmed Kate's first appearance since hospital treatment says conspiracy theorist trolls are 'delusional' - while BBC reporter fans flames saying 'It's clearly not her'

The shopper who filmed Kate Middleton's first public appearance since undergoing abdominal surgery has slammed cruel conspiracy theory trolls as 'delusional'.

Nelson Silva, 40, said he saw the Princess of Wales 'with my own eyes' on Saturday as she popped down to her local farm shop in Windsor alongside her husband Prince William. 

Millions of people breathed a collective sigh of relief when they saw 'happy, relaxed and healthy' Kate smiling as she briskly walked away from the store holding onto a full shopping bag.

Others on social media, however, continued to push crazed claims - including that the woman in the video was not the royal but in fact a body double.

BBC sports reporter Sonja McLaughlan appeared to be amongst those fuelling the bizarre suggestion when she told her followers on X that it was 'obviously not Kate' in the clip. In a now deleted tweet, she even suggested the heir to the throne could have been replaced by an actor.

Nelson SIlva, 40, has been revealed as the shopper who filmed Kate Middleton 's first public appearance since undergoing abdominal surgery

Prince William and Kate were seen over the weekend visiting The Windsor Farm Shop close to their home. Pictured: The couple pictured together in October last year 

Today BBC sports reporter Sonja McLaughlan appeared to join in with conspiracy theorists online claiming that the woman in the video was 'clearly not' the Princess of Wales 

In a now-deleted tweet, the BBC reporter claimed that 'it's clearly not her' while tweeting about Kate's appearance 

Speaking for the first time since he encountered the Princess of Wales in the meat section of the farm shop, Mr Silva told the Sun: 'I'm not so much shocked that these comments have continued, I'm just confused how exactly they can continue.

'This is a video clearly showing her and William. I saw them with my own eyes. It was a completely relaxed situation.

'What more do you need to lay off her? I thought after this was released they'd go quiet. But these people are so invested in the drama now.' 

The father, who ran into the royals around lunchtime on Saturday at the Windsor Farm Shop, believed releasing the footage would put an abrupt end to the wild rumours surrounding Kate's health but fears it did the opposite.

After the clip emerged people suggested Kate was too tall in the video for it to be her, while another crazy theory claimed the footage had been recorded in December because 'Christmas decorations' were in the background.

In under 24 hours the rumours about body doubes gained more than 12 millions views on X and more than 11 million on TikTok. 

The Windsor local said he was 'shocked' and 'confused' as to why the conspiracy theories have continued. He said he saw the future King and Queen with his own eyes and 'it was a completely relaxed situation'. 

'Even famous people are guilty,' Mr Silva added. 'People with a large platform online — they can't admit they are wrong now because they look so delusional.' 

The father, 40, said he saw the Princess of Wales 'with my own eyes' on Saturday. Pictured: Nelson Siva

William and Kate were spotted leaving Windsor for Westminster Abbey to attend The Commonwealth Day Service last Monday

Prince William and Kate were seen together at the Windsor Farm Shop at around lunchtime on Monday 

BBC freelance reporter Ms McLaughlan was under fire yesterday for appearing to fan the flames of conspiracy theorists

He called for those pushing claims online to 'lay off' the Princess and stop plugging their baseless 'rumours and lies'.

The father, who lives in the town with his wife and daughter, had recorded the couple to send back to his family Portugal.

He first saw Will and Kate inside the store, where they had been 'talking to staff and laughing', before watching them walk back into some fields to head towards their home Adelaide Cottage.

Kate's weekend appearance marked the first time she had been seen out and about in public since undergoing planned abdominal surgery in January.

Despite Kensington Palace setting out a clear timeline for the Princess' recovery - with her return to the public spotlight expected after the Easter Holidays conclude - online trolls have sparked bizarre theories. 

Baseless and hurtful conspiracy theories being spread about her online included that she is dead, has been replaced by a body double or the Wales' marriage is in trouble. 

One royal source told the Telegraph: 'Finally everyone can calm down'.

Yet last night, BBC freelance reporter Ms McLaughlan was under fire for appearing to fan the flames of conspiracy theorists. 

Ms McLaughlan wrote: 'Disturbing that newspapers like The Times are reporting this as fact. Headline 'Kate seen in public for the first time' when it's clearly not her. As someone has said. Could be a couple of lookalikes making mischief.' 

Kate Middleton lookalike Heidi Agan (pictured) has shut down the 'crazy' conspiracy theory that it is her in a farm shop video of the Prince and Princess of Wales

Heidi is seen with a Prince William lookalike who bears a striking resemblance to the future king

Commenting on a video which compared the Princess in the footage to other past photos of herself, she added: 'It's so obviously not Kate. Some newspaper are reporting it as fact. But it's not her. No conspiracy theorist but all very odd.'

The BBC declined to comment on the matter.

The body double claims led Britain's 'most realistic' Kate Middleton lookalike to shut down the 'crazy' conspiracy theories that it is her in the farm shop video instead of the real Princess of Wales. 

Heidi Agan, 43, who has made an income from impersonating the royal for more than a decade, said she '100 per cent' believes it is Kate and William in the footage.

'There has obviously been some speculation about whether it was Kate and William in that footage and stills,' she told The Mirror.

'In fact, my own social media has gone crazy as people think it is me, but I know it is not. I was at work at the time so I know that is not me. I 100 per cent believe that it is Kate Middleton and William in that video.'

'So she is alive, and we can be sure about it. It has all gone too far now,' she added.